Sept 13– For his recent Today appearance, David brought in quite the dynamic (and hungry) group of critters including raccoon cubs, a kinkajou, an otter, a white-naped raven and an African warthog! Things tend to get a little hairy when all the animals have their eyes set on each other’s snacks.

Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, said this upon the release of the letter and in advance of the press conference:

“With this bill, the House has the opportunity to create 21st century solutions to water resource challenges that will protect the nation’s rivers, coasts, and wetlands. Given budget realities, this water bill should prioritize solving the country’s most pressing needs through cost-effective, non-damaging solutions.”

September 10- National Wildlife Federation is currently taking applications for organizations and groups wishing to hold a native tree planting this fall as part of its Trees for Wildlife program. Trees for Wildlife is an educational program of the National Wildlife Federation, providing adult leaders with fun, hands-on science-based activities to help young people learn about the importance of trees to communities and wildlife and how to plant and take care of trees for the future.

“Increasing urbanization has impacted the nation’s tree canopy by reducing the number of trees within urban and suburban America,” said Eliza Russell, director of education programs at National Wildlife Federation. “Tree planting events provide opportunities to educate and prepare the next generation of environmental stewards, expand the world inventory of trees and protect and improve natural resources.”

Free native species tree seedlings are currently available to partners, volunteers, schools, NWF affiliates and community groups. These trees have been donated for planting by NWF members and donors. All trees that are planted will be native to the region where they will be planted.

Before applying, please review the full guidelines to check eligibility. Please note that each season NWF awards as many trees as possible, but due to high demand, not all applications will be successful. The deadline to apply for trees is September 21, 2013.

A report issued by the National Wildlife Federation last year determined that South Carolina has the second-largest offshore wind resource in the region. Experts say that’s enough wind energy to generate power for almost 8 million homes.

“For all the success that Montana has had with wildlife restoration there’s an important chapter (to be written) and that’s the one that starts with the word ‘bison,’ ” says the National Wildlife Federation’s Northern Rockies region executive director, Tom France, noting that the idea of fostering a wild bison herd on Montana’s plains has gained traction in recent years.

On September 4th the National Wildlife Federation released a report detailing the ways global warming is threatening fish habitat. Freshwater fish are dying off as rising water temperatures and extreme weather caused by climate change increasingly affect their habitats across the United States.

Minnesota jobs are also put at risk through climate change’s impact on fisheries. According to Gary Botzek, executive director of the Minnesota Conservation Federation, “Fishing is a $2.8 billion industry in this state. Over 43,000 jobs are generated and over $640 million taxes are raised each year in Minnesota.”